Famvir

(famciclovir)

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Treats viral infections.

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Our bottom line

Famvir (famciclovir) is a first choice medication for controlling the symptoms of viral infections like herpes, chickenpox, and shingles.

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Quick facts about Famvir
  • Drug class: Infection
  • Rx status:
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (famciclovir)

Upsides

  • Famvir (famciclovir) has very few interactions with other drugs.
  • Famvir (famciclovir) is available in generic form.
  • Famvir (famciclovir) can be taken less frequently than other antiviral medications.
  • Taking Famvir (famciclovir) within 1 hour of developing cold sores can speed up healing times by about 2 days.
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What to expect from Famvir, on one page

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Downsides

  • Famvir (famciclovir) is not a cure and will only control the symptoms of an outbreak.
  • Taking Famvir (famciclovir) for genital herpes doesn't prevent you from transmitting the virus to others.
  • The dose of Famvir (famciclovir) needs to be adjusted if you have kidney damage.
  • It is unknown how Famvir (famciclovir) works for people younger than 18 years old.
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What to expect from Famvir, on one page

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How it works

Famvir (famciclovir) is an antiviral medication that stops the virus from multiplying by preventing key steps in forming viral DNA.

Quick facts about Famvir
  • Drug class: Infection
  • Rx status:
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (famciclovir)

Used for

  • Herpes zoster (Shingles)
  • Treatment and suppression of recurrent genital herpes
  • Treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores)

Dosage forms

  • Pill
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Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Famvir (famciclovir) for Herpes infection

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
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Side effect rates for Famvir (famciclovir)

From 521 clinical trials of Famvir when taken for genital herpes suppression
  • Headache
    40%40%
    43%43%
  • Diarrhea
    9%9%
    10%10%
  • Abdominal pain
    8%8%
    8%8%
  • Abnormal menstrual bleeding
    8%8%
    6%6%
  • Nausea
    7%7%
    10%10%
  • Flatulence
    5%5%
    2%2%
  • Fatigue
    5%5%
    3%3%
  • Migraine
    3%3%
  • Vomiting
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Rash
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Itching
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Famvir.

Famvir (famciclovir)
Placebo

People taking Famvir felt side effect more

People taking Famvir felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Famvir (famciclovir)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › History of kidney damage

    Use Famvir (famciclovir) with caution if you have kidney disease. Your doctor will provide an appropriate dose of Famvir (famciclovir) based on your kidney function tests. You may develop further kidney damage if the dose is too high.

Common concerns from people taking Famvir (famciclovir)

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Interactions
  • Famvir (famciclovir) has very few interactions with other drugs.
Kidneys and liver
  • Use Famvir (famciclovir) with caution if you have kidney disease. Your doctor will provide an appropriate dose of Famvir (famciclovir) based on your kidney function tests. You may develop further kidney damage if the dose is too high.
  • The dose of Famvir (famciclovir) needs to be adjusted if you have kidney damage.
Pain
  • Taking Famvir (famciclovir) within 1 hour of developing cold sores can speed up healing times by about 2 days.